Puzzle.



No. 653,06I. Patented July 3, I900.

A C. BOOTH. PUZZLE.

(Application filed Feb. 28, 1900.) (No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

ALBA OASSIUS BOOTH, OF BURLINGTON, VERMONT.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 653,061, dated July 3, 1900. Application filed February 23, 1900. Serial No. 6,282. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBA CASSIUS Boo'rn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Burlington, in the county of Chittenden and State of Vermont, have invented a new and Improved Puzzle, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to game apparatus; and its object is to provide a new and improved puzzle which is simple and durable in construction, and arranged to afford considerable amusement and to require.skill in properly solving the puzzle.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts inall the views.

Figure 1 is aplan view of the improvement. Fig. 2 isasectional side elevation of the'same, and Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the poise.

The puzzle consists, essentially, of a box A, having a cover B of glass or other transparent or translucent material, and in the box is secured a pin 0, on which is mounted a poise D, preferably in the shape of a whale, the under side of the head of the whale being formed with an opening D, leading to a cavity D in the front end of the body of the poise and extended longitudinally thereof, as is plainly shown in Fig. 2. On the bottom of the box A is mounted to roll a ball E, having a diameter somewhat less than that of the opening D, so that said ball can pass into the opening and into the cavity D by the operator properly manipulating the'box. The under side of the poise D is preferably flat, and when the box is in a horizontal position the poise preferably stands in an inclined position, as shown in Fig. 2, and with the front end a distance above the boxbottom to allow the ball E to freely roll under the front end, but to engage the forked end of the tail.

As shown, the poise D is free to swing and to turn on the pin 0, and in order to solve the problem it is necessary to bring the ball directly under the opening D of the poise and then suddenly tilt the box, so that the head of the poise moves downward for the ball E to pass into the opening D before the ball has a chance to roll from its position under the opening, and then by tilting the box just a little more the ball will roll over the lip part D into the cavity D where it can be held out of engagement with the box and the poise D made to balance, if desired, for after the ball is caught in the opening D it requires but little more tilting of the box to pass the ball over the lip part D into the cavity D The puzzle described is to represent the question Was Jonah swallowed by the whale 8 and this sentence is preferably marked on the bottom of the box with appropriate illustrations. (Not shown.)

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A puzzle, comprising abox, a ball in the box and adapted to roll on the bottom thereof, and a poise mounted in the box to turn and swing, said poise being normally held in an inclined position, out of contact with the bottom of the box, and provided at one end with an internal pocket adapted to receive and hold the ball concealed therein, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A puzzle, comprising a box, a pin arranged in the box, a poise mounted on said pin, and having at its forward end at the bottom thereof an opening leading to a recess in the body of the poise, and a ball adapted to roll in the box and adapted to pass through said opening into the recess, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. I

ALBA CASSIUS BOOTH,

Witnesses:

W. J. HENDERSON, GEORGE W. MARKS.- 

